This section of the page is a
dedication to the molecule that allows me to function. As I drink caffeine in
some form at work every day, I debated about whether or not to include this
link under my "professional activities" section. As you can see, I
decided caffeine deserved a place under the "my life" link. Scary!
Chemical
Properties:
Caffeine is an
alkaloid of the methylxanthine family, which also
includes the similar compounds theophylline and theobromine. In its
pure state it is an intensely bitter white powder. Its chemical formula is
C8H10N4O2.
Sources of Caffeine:
One common source
of caffeine is the coffee plant, the beans from which are used to produce
coffee. Caffeine content varies substantially
between Arabica and Robusta species and to a lesser degree between varieties of
each species.
Dosage:
One dose of
caffeine is generally considered to be 100 mg.
In theory, a single serving (6 fl oz / 150 ml) of drip coffee or
one-half caffeine tablet would deliver this dose. In the real world, coffee varies considerably
in caffeine content per serving, ranging from about 75 mg to 250 mg. Generally,
dark roast coffee has less caffeine than lighter roasts since the roasting
process reduces caffeine content of the bean.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine